Description: This eighth volume of the acclaimed Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series is a compendium of all relevant material for a thorough consideration of Merton's knowledge and appreciation of the Confucian tradition. The first of its two sections provides extensively annotated versions of the three distinct resources for investigating Merton's engagement with Confucianism in the context of his wider studies of East Asian spiritual traditions: his correspondence with Chinese-American scholar Paul Sih; his extensive notes on Confucian and related material; and transcriptions of the five conferences given to young prospective monks on the pertinence of Confucian wisdom to their own spiritual development. Part two gathers together five previously published studies exploring Merton's interest in Confucian and (in one case) related Chinese traditions that provide various perspectives on Merton's engagement with what he calls "Classic Chinese Thought." It is hoped that making these materials on Confucianism much more readily accessible will stimulate and encourage further research and publication on this fascinating but hitherto somewhat neglected aspect of his interreligious thought.
Review Quotes: "It has been my good fortune to participate in a prestigious circle of Merton scholars of whom Dr. Patrick O'Connell is, in my estimation, the most eminent. No one has his range and depth of knowledge of the extensive and rich Merton corpus, and no one has made it more accessible, particularly in the compendious work, The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia, which bears the mark of his singular scholarship. As an interpreter of Merton's poetic and literary legacy, in particular, Dr. O'Connell's contributions are peerless: his publications allow Merton's timeless voice to continue resounding into a new century. We are especially grateful for his wise and faithful leadership and presence as one of the founding members and past president of the International Thomas Merton Society which owes much of its success to his ongoing commitment" --Kathleen Deignan, CND, Founder and Director: Iona Spirituality Institute, Past President, International Thomas Merton Society